Politics

Can Osun’s Academic Community Reward a Government That Defies the Courts

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on August 4th, 2026.

*Can Osun’s Academic Community Reward a Government That Defies the Courts?*

Democracy does not end at the ballot box. It survives only when those elected to govern submit themselves to the Constitution and obey the judgments of competent courts.

That is why the controversy surrounding the National Industrial Court’s judgment ordering the reinstatement of Professor Jimoh Atanda Afolabi as Provost of the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, should deeply concern every citizen who believes in the rule of law.

*A Breakdown of the Crisis*
*The Suspension*: Professor Afolabi was suspended in January 2024 following allegations of financial impropriety and administrative misconduct.

*The Legal Challenge*: He challenged his suspension in court, arguing that due process was violated and his tenure was unlawfully interrupted.

*The Ruling*: After hearing both parties, the National Industrial Court ruled in his favor and ordered his immediate reinstatement.

A court judgment is not a press statement; it is not a political opinion. It is a binding decision that must be obeyed unless set aside by a higher court.
If a government can disregard a court order today because it is politically inconvenient, what prevents it from disregarding another tomorrow?

*The Cost to the Community*
Even more troubling are reports that the college was shut down following the judgment. If that action was taken to prevent or delay the enforcement of the court’s decision, it represents a dangerous precedent.
The primary victims of this standoff are not politicians or government officials.

The real cost is borne by: Students whose education has been abruptly disrupted.
Lecturers whose academic work and livelihoods have been interrupted.
Parents whose financial sacrifices are being taken for granted.
The Ultimate Question at the Ballot Box
This situation raises a fundamental political question: Will students, lecturers, non-academic staff, parents, and the people of Ila-Orangun reward this defiance with their votes?

Elections are about more than roads and bridges—they are about values. They serve as a direct referendum on leadership, accountability, and respect for democratic institutions.
A governor seeking a renewed mandate must answer a straightforward question: If your government will not obey the courts, why should the people trust you with another four years?

*The Final Verdict* Belongs to the People
The academic community is one of the most enlightened constituencies in any democracy. Lecturers teach constitutional governance; students are taught that no one is above the law. What message is sent when the state government itself appears unwilling to honor a lawful judicial decision?
History teaches that governments rarely lose elections over a single event. They lose because a pattern of behavior creates a public perception that power has replaced principle, and arrogance has replaced accountability.
The people of Osun are watching:
The students are watching.
The lecturers are watching.
The judiciary is watching.
Ultimately, the ballot box is the people’s court. On election day, every voter becomes a judge, and every government must defend its record—not only on promises fulfilled, but on its respect for the rule of law.
A government that chooses confrontation over compliance should not expect the electorate to remain silent. In a democracy, the final verdict belongs to the people.